by Джуд Уотсон
"I like most ships," Anakin said, his mouth full.
"Not me. I prefer to have my feet on the ground."
"So what are you doing here?" Obi-Wan asked, pushing his empty plate away. Den looked only a little older than he had all those years before. His sandy hair was still boyishly tousled, and the smile lines around his eyes were only a little deeper. Den's pleasant expression did not falter.
"Escaping the horrors of corruption and environmental degradation. What about you?"
"Investigating you," Obi-Wan shot back. He had forgotten the bumpy rhythms of Den's speech, the way he seemed to treat no subject seriously. He remembered how Qui-Gon had accepted Den immediately and had been amused by him. It had taken Obi-Wan a bit longer to get used to the fact that they were depending on a thief to help them on an important mission.
"Yes, Andra told me," Den said. "Why don't I walk you back to your quarters?"
Obi-Wan nodded. Anakin combined the three remaining bites on his plate into one and hurriedly crammed it into his mouth. Still chewing, he followed Obi-Wan and Den from the cafe.
"Tell me how you truly feel," Obi-Wan said quietly to Den as they strolled down the corridor.
Den sighed. "I only joined up because I didn't want to lose Andra."
"Ah," Obi-Wan said. Den had confirmed what he'd suspected. He couldn't imagine independent Den surrendering to someone else's idea of how to live.
"The ironic thing is, I was the one to make her go to Uni's lecture," Den went on. "She was in a bad state, Obi-Wan. You have to understand that many felt the same. Telos was dying, and no one could save it. Uni offered hope. Andra was one of the first organizers of the BioCruiser." Den made a wry face. "She had a cause again."
"You tried to talk her out of going?"
"Sure. I told her we should stay and fight for Telos. Oremigrate to another world, not reject the galaxy and become crazy nomads. Naturally she agreed to everything I said. Joke! Since when does Andra ever agree with me?" Den asked morosely. "I had no choice. I pretended to swallow this wacky idea, and I came aboard. Something didn't smell right to me, and it still doesn't. Listen, I may have gone straight for Andra's sake, but the criminal antennae never die. There's something wrong with this operation."
"Tell me," Obi-Wan urged.
Den waved cheerfully at a group across the corridor. "Things just don't feel right. I'm not sure about Uni, but Vox definitely has my antennae quivering. He managed to convince everyone on Telos that he had nothing to do with handing our sacred spaces over to Offworld, even though he was in Xanatos's pocket. He keeps to himself on the BioCruiser, stays up in those fancy quarters of his. But twice I've spotted him having a pretty intense conversation with a tech worker named Kern."
"Why is that suspicious?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Vox thinks he's too good for the rest of us," Den said, his eyes narrowing. "Why would he waste his time talking to some low-level tech worker?" Den tapped his nose. "I'm telling you. Doesn't smell right."
"Anything else?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Whenever we dock for fuel and supplies, it's always at some industrial planet," Den said. "Why is that? And why is Vox always among the landing party?"
"He wasn't back atHilo," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Yeah. I noticed that. I figure he didn't want to ride back with the Jedi team. Maybe he thought it would be suspicious if he went down. Who knows?" Den tapped his nose again and wrinkled his face as if he'd smelled something foul.
They stopped in front of their quarters. Anakin's eyes were on Den. Obi-Wan could see the boy was listening intently.
"I don't know, Den," Obi-Wan said. "You don't have much for us to go on."
"Did you know that one of the reasons we stopped atHilowas to do a repair that didn't need to be done?" Den asked. "It turned out to be a readout malfunction. The actual part was fine."
"That happens-"
"— sometimes, I know. But guess who's in charge of readout systems? Kern."
Obi-Wan nodded, but he still wasn't convinced. He sensed that Den was searching for anything that would prove that the BioCruiser operation was corrupt. His desire to have his wife back could be coloring his perceptions.
"Now that you're here, my odds of getting to the bottom of this just improved a thousand percent," Den said, slapping Obi-Wan on the back. "Get a good night's sleep. You'll need it."
Den gave them a cheerful wave and hurried off. Obi-Wan sighed.
"You don't trust him?" Anakin asked.
"It's not that," Obi-Wan said. "I'm just not sure I trust his perceptions."
"But he's thinking like a Jedi," Anakin pointed out. "He's trustinghis feelings. Shouldn't we honor that? Besides, we don't have any other paths to follow at the moment."
Sometimes, Anakin reminded Obi-Wan of Qui-Gon. He had the same mix of logic and emotion that Obi-Wan struggled so hard to balance.
"I trust my own feelings," Obi-Wan finally muttered. "Not Den's."
Chapter 16
Obi-Wan and Anakin had barely finished their morning meal when Den came to Obi-Wan's quarters.
"I have a way to break into the text-doc files on the BioCruiser," Den announced.
"I thought you had given up being a criminal," Obi-Wan said.
Den shrugged. "I was bored. It's been a long time since I got a chance to flex my muscles." His eyes twinkled. "Don't you want to see Kern's background?"
"If the Senate finds out that the Jedi illegally broke into the BioCruiser's confidential records, it could compromise the investigation," Obi-Wan said with a frown. "I don't think-was Den flourished a sheaf of durasheets. "Too late! I printed out the information for you."
"Great!" Anakin enthused. "Now we can start."
Den grinned. "I like your style, kid."
With a sigh, Obi-Wan took the durasheets. He quickly glanced through the information, absorbing it. Then he handed it to Anakin.
"You see the problem?" Den asked Obi-Wan.
He nodded.
"I don't get it," Anakin said. "Everything seems in order to me. He's got top-level security clearance. From the Senate, even. Isn't that hard to get?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said."Very hard. That's why there's a problem."
"Why would a low-level tech worker like Kern need high-security clearance from the Senate?" Den asked.
"It's odd, but it doesn't necessarily have significance," Obi-Wan said. "It probably just means that he worked on sensitive material at one point. Everyone has a past."
Den collapsed in a nearby chair. "If you're going to think that everything I bring you is useless, we're not going to get anywhere."
"Relax, Den. I didn't say we wouldn't follow up." Motioning to Anakin, Obi-Wan stood. "As a matter of fact, I'd like a more complete tour this morning. Do you think you can lead us to the tech center?"
Den indicated Kern with a nod as they entered the tech center. He was a good ten years older than Obi-Wan, with close-cropped light hair and eyes set close together.
"This is our info-tech center," Den began. "As you might imagine, the readout panels are extensive. Every single aspect of the ship is monitored, from damage control to how our plants are growing in the greenhouses."
"A complex operation," Obi-Wan observed. He gave Anakin a look. He had already briefed his Padawan on what he should do.
While Den continued to talk and Obi-Wan murmured admiring comments or questions, Anakin slipped away. He stood examining a readout console. When he knew Kern was looking at him, he glanced up and caught his eye.
"I've never seen a board like this one," he said.
"It's a big ship." Kern turned away, bored by the prospects of conversation with a young boy.
"Do the readout monitors really capture every single thing that could go wrong?" Anakin asked.
"Yes."
"Are there separate readouts for every engine part?"
"Yes."
"The thrust trace dampers, even?" Anakin pitched his voice high. He had an ability to seem younger than he was.
>
"Yes," Kern said, exasperation coloring his voice. "Go away, Jedi kid, I'm busy."
"Let's say your power core overheats, but there's no emergency readout on the converters, and the hyperdrive conduits show a steady lightspeed. Would your readout take into account a faulty hydrostatic field connector?"
Kern swiveled in his chair. "You know a lot for a kid."
"Do you know the answer?" Anakin asked.
"I'd check the readout for the hydrostatic field connector, but first I'd investigate the drive turbine air intake," Kern said. "We've got a couple of sublight engines of the Dyne class, and sometimes those flaps can get gunky if the fuel lines get clogged. Okay, kid?"
"Okay," Anakin said cheerfully.
He joined up with Obi-Wan and Den, who was concluding the tour. As soon as they were outside, he repeated the conversation to Obi-Wan.
"I'm telling you, something's up with this guy," Den said. "Readout tech workers are totally separate from motor experts. They don't know about sublight engines. They just send the information to the mechanics."
"He could have worked on engines before," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"But it doesn't say that in his text doc," Den shot back.
Obi-Wan frowned. "I know. Let's go back to my cabin."
It was at times like this that Obi-Wan missed Tahl. When he'd been with Qui-Gon, they could always rely on Tahl to do an exhaustive search, using all her contacts. She inevitably turned up clues that brought them to the next step. And she'd done it fast.
He didn't know Tnani Ikon, the Jedi Knight now in charge of computer searches at theTemple. But Obi-Wan called him and quickly told him that they needed deep research on Kern, sending Tnani all the text-doc information they already had. He asked for priority, but he could never be sure what other Jedi missions were at stake. Obi-Wan cut the communication but did not put away his comlink.
"What is it?" Anakin asked.
"I have an idea." Obi-Wan contacted Tnani again. "While you're doing the search, can you also investigate any Kerns who have died within the last twenty years?"
The impassive Jedi Knight did not question Obi-Wan. "I will do so."
Obi-Wan cut the communication again. Den looked at him quizzically.
"What was that about? Sure, the guy is ugly, but he doesn't look dead," Den said.
"I'm still thinking about that high security clearance," Obi-Wan said, tucking his comlink back into his utility belt. "I remember that Qui-Gon told me that there are secret operatives called "no-names" who are used by the Senate. They use fabricated identities that are retired when they die. Except Qui-Gon knew of several cases where if someone had enough money or influence they could buy a retired identity." Obi-Wan shrugged. "Maybe Kern is a purchased identity. It's worth checking into."
"I knew I needed you!" Den said, clapping Obi-Wan on the back.
"But if Kern is a bought identity, that means that somebody powerful wanted him to infiltrate this ship," Anakin said. "Who could it be? And why?"
"That," Obi-Wan said, "just might turn out to be the most important question of all."
Chapter 17
Den had to return to his job-"They've got me raising vegetables, can you believe that?" — so while he was waiting for Tnani to reply, Obi-Wan suggested to Anakin that they strike up conversations with some of the residents of the BioCruiser. They spoke to as many beings as they could-a librarian, a tech worker, a teacher, a former ruler of her planet who was now an administrator aboard ship. Each of them spoke glowingly of Uni and their life aboard the BioCruiser. Each of them looked at their decision to leave their worlds as a kind of salvation.
"What do you think?" Obi-Wan asked Anakin as they headed to a nearby cafe for themiddaymeal. "Do they seem brainwashed to you?" He was always curious about Anakin's perceptions. Often he was startled to discover they were sharper than his own. Anakin saw things intuitively, while Obi-Wan knew he had a tendency to overanalyze.
"Not brainwashed," Anakin said."Just sad, somehow."
"Sad?"
"Well, they gave up. That's always sad, isn't it? And leaving your family and friends behind makes you sad, too. They push it way down. But it's there. It's there in their dreams. Where else can it go?"
Intrigued, Obi-Wan mulled over Anakin's words. He would not have phrased it that way or perhaps even formed the same thoughts, but Anakin had put his finger on what was bothering him.
The only trouble was, they couldn't bring a charge of "instituting sadness" back to the Senate. They hadn't really found any evidence against Uni.
A group of security officers suddenly wheeled around the corner in lockstep. Obi-Wan watched them curiously at first. Then his instinct kicked in. The officers were coming for the Jedi.
The officers were armed with blasters (still in their holsters) and electro-jabbers (in their hands). Anakin had picked up on the disturbance in the Force a beat later than Obi-Wan. He tensed and glanced at his Master, uncertain of what to do. Obi-Wan didn't want to engage with security aboard the vessel. This was to be a peaceful investigation, nothing more.
The lead security officer brandished his electro-jabber. "You must come with us."
"On whose authority?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Uni's. Now move."
The officer raised his electro-jabber and moved toward Anakin. Obi-Wan saw that he meant to use it. Such a blow could paralyze Anakin's arm or leg for some time. The security officer didn't have a chance to blink. Obi-Wan's lightsaber was activated and moving before the electro-jabber had shifted even a few centimeters. The lightsaber neatly cleaved the jabber in two. The officer crashed to his knees from the strength of the blow. He was unhurt, but dazed.
Immediately the other security officers sprang forward. Anakin had already whirled away from the first officer and drawn his lightsaber. It was only a training lightsaber on loan from theTemple, but even its low power was effective.
"No harm, only disarm," Obi-Wan had a chance to murmur before he flipped backward to avoid a security officer who tried to come at him from his left. Obi-Wan turned, his lightsaber a blur of heat and energy, and turned the electro-jabber into a smoking heap on the floor.
Anakin's training lightsaber circled and whirled before an upward sweep sent the third officer's electro-jabber crashing to the floor in two molten piles. Obi-Wan and Anakin sprang forward to defend themselves against the last two officers, who stumbled backward, unnerved by the display of Jedi skill. One dropped his electro-jabber and fumbled for his blaster. Obi-Wan cleaved the other's electro-jabber in two and turned the blade of the lightsaber close to the last officer's face.
"Do you really want to draw that weapon?" he asked.
The security officer's eyes wobbled. He licked his lips. "Not-no."
"We will come with you voluntarily," Obi-Wan said, looking at each officer in turn. "Do you understand?"
The first officer stood. "We are well trained," he said to Obi-Wan. "We just never met Jedi before. If you'll follow us…"
Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and motioned for Anakin to do the same.
The security officers formed a wary guard around them. The first officer marched toward the turbolift.
"What do you think this is about?" Anakin murmured.
"I have no idea," Obi-Wan answered. "Either we've violated some rule, or Uni has decided he's had enough investigation."
They proceeded to the upper level and were marched to Uni's quarters. The doors slid open. The security officers lined up against the back wall. Vox and Uni stood in the middle of the room, waiting for them. Obi-Wan could see that Vox was trembling with rage.
"As always, we see that we cannot trust the Jedi," Vox spat out. "We invited you to share our home, and you have betrayed us. Our confidential files have been broken into!"
Den, Obi-Wan thought in despair. He should have remembered that Den hadn't been the most accomplished thief, even when it had been his profession.
"You are accusing us?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Of cou
rse I am accusing you!" Vox almost screamed.
"We did not break into your files," Obi-Wan said honestly.
"Can you tell me you were not involved?" Vox sneered. He waved a hand."Never mind. My son and I know firsthand how the Jedi order twists the truth-"
"We don't!" Anakin burst out. "Jedi don't lie."
Vox gave Anakin a contemptuous glance. "What do you know, boy? Has your Master told you how he killed another Jedi student and then lied about it? Ah, I thought not."